Chapter 38: Assessment of Digestive and Gastrointestinal Function

The nurse is caring for a client recovering from an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Which of the following client symptoms would require further nursing assessment?

Abdominal distention

An older adult client is admitted to an acute care facility for treatment of an acute flare-up of a chronic gastrointestinal condition. In addition to assessing the client for complications of the current illness, the nurse monitors for age-related changes in the gastrointestinal tract. Which age-related change increases the risk of anemia?

Atrophy of the gastric mucosa

When assisting with preparing a client scheduled for a barium swallow, which of the following would be appropriate to include?

Avoid smoking for at least 12 to 24 hours before the procedure

A client reports a history of bleeding hemorrhoids to the nurse. Which observation supports the client's statement?

Blood streaks on stool

A client with abdominal pain is scheduled for a CT scan of the abdomen with contrast. Which assessment will the nurse complete before transporting the client for the diagnostic test?

History of allergies

A home care nurse is caring for a client with reports of epigastric discomfort who is scheduled for a barium swallow. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the test?

Ill avoid eating or drinking anything 6 to 8 hours before the test

A client asks the nurse why the physician ordered the blood test carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The nurse answers:

It indicates if a cancer is present

While palpating a client's right upper quadrant (RUQ), the nurse would expect to find which structure?

Liver

A client with a recent history of rectal bleeding is being prepared for a colonoscopy. Initially, how should the nurse position the client for this test?

Lying on the left side with knees bent

What part of the GI tract begins the digestion of food?

Mouth

The nurse is working with clients with digestive tract disorders. Which of the following organs does the nurse realize has effects as an exocrine gland and an endocrine gland?

Pancreas The pancreas is both an exocrine gland , one that releases secretions into a duct or channel , and an endocrine gland , one that releases substances directly into the bloodstream . The other organs have a variety of functions but do not have a combination function such as the pancreas

Which of the following is an enzyme secreted by the gastric mucosa?

Pepsin

The nurse is instructing the client who was newly diagnosed with peptic ulcers. Which of the following diagnostic studies would the nurse anticipate reviewing with the client?

Serum antibodies

The nurse is instructing the client who was newly diagnosed with peptic ulcers. Which of the following diagnostic studies would the nurse anticipate reviewing with the client?

Serum antibodies for H. pylori

The nurse prepares to administer the lavage solution to a client having a colonoscopy completed. The nurse stops and notifies the physician when noting that the client has which condition?

inflammatory bowel disease

When bowel sounds are heard about every 15 seconds, the nurse would record that the bowel sounds are

normal

A client tells the nurse that the stool was colored yellow. The nurse assesses the client for

recent foods ingested

During a colonoscopy with moderate sedation, the patient groans with obvious discomfort and begins bleeding from the rectum. The patient is diaphoretic and has an increase in abdominal girth from distention. What complication of this procedure is the nurse aware may be occurring?

Bowel perforation

A client is scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). During the client teaching, what will the nurse discuss?

Do you experience any claustrophobia

A client is scheduled for an ultrasound of the abdomen. Which statement indicates that teaching provided to the client to prepare for the test was effective?

I will not eat or drink for 8 to 12 hours before the test

A client undergoing a diagnostic examination for gastrointestinal disorder was given polyethylene glycol/electrolyte solution as a part of the test preparation. Which of the following measures should the nurse take once the solution is administered?

Permit the client to drink only clear liquids

A client is to have an upper GI procedure with barium ingestion and abdominal ultrasonography. While scheduling these diagnostic tests, the nurse must consider which factor?

The ultrasonography should be scheduled before the GI procedure

The nurse recognizes which change of the GI system is an age-related change?

weakened gag reflex

The nurse recognizes which change of the gastrointestinal system is an age-related change?

weakened gag reflex

The client describes a test previously completed to detect a small bowel obstruction prior to admission to the hospital. The client states that the test involved insertion of a tube through the nose and lasted over 6 hours. The nurse determines which test name should be documented?

upper GI enteroclysis

A client is scheduled for an upper gastrointestinal barium study. Which teaching will the nurse provide for the client to prepare for this diagnostic test?

Ingest nothing by mouth after midnight

The nurse is assessing the abdomen of the client with an undiagnosed disorder. In which sequence would the nurse conduct the abdominal assessment? Use all options

Inspection Auscultation Percussion Palpation

The nurse is providing instructions to a client scheduled for a gastroscopy. What should the nurse be sure to include in the instructions? Select all that apply.

1.) The client must fast for 8 hours before the examination 2.) The throat will be sprayed with a local anesthetic. 3.) After gastroscopy, the client cannot eat or drink until the gag reflex returns (1 to 2 hours). - The throat will be sprayed with a local anesthetic . After gastroscopy , the client can not eat or drink until the gag reflex returns ( 1 to 2 hours )

When completing a nutritional assessment of a patient who is admitted for a GI disorder, the nurse notes a recent history of dietary intake. This is based on the knowledge that a portion of digested waste products can remain in the rectum for how many days after a meal is digested?

As much as 25 % of the waste products from a meal may still be in the rectum 3 days after a meal is ingested

Which of the following is the most definitive means of assessing for liver disease?

Biopsy

A client is scheduled for several diagnostic tests to evaluate gastrointestinal function. After teaching the client about these tests, the nurse determines that the client has understood the teaching when the client identifies which test as not requiring the use of a contrast medium?

Colonoscopy

Specific disease processes and ingestion of certain foods and medications may change the appearance of the stool. If blood is shed in sufficient quantities into the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract, it produces which change in the stool appearance?

Tarry-black

A client is scheduled for a urea breath test to detect for Helicobacter pylori as a reason for gastric distress. Which instruction will the nurse provide to the client to prepare for this test? Select all that apply.

Do not use antibiotics for 1 month Avoid bismuth subsalicylate for 1 month Do not take proton pump inhibitors for 2 weeks

A few hours after eating hot and spicy chicken wings, a client presents with lower chest pain. He wonders if he is having a heart attack. How should the nurse proceed first?

Further investigate the initial complaint